How to Replace or Update a Porch Column

Many older homes have porch columns that are either rotten, damaged or just out of date. Some new buildings have boring 4" X 4' skinny posts that need beefed up to look appropriate to the house. If you have a single story porch with standard wood, metal or composite columns or posts, the experienced weekend warrior should have little trouble replacing them or updating your houses look. Planning and preparation are the keys to this project.
As with all home repairs, if you feel that this is over your head contact a contractor. If you have to work over six feet in the air, you have a project that requires scaffolding and tie downs, and may require you contact professionals.
This How To concerns replacing a post or column with simular material, a change in materials may require a building permit or an engineer to determine if it will impare the buildings structural safety.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2"x4" or 4" X 4" lumber supports
• post or column replacement
• measuring tape
• hammer
• sledge hammer
• measuring square, straight edge or square
• circular saw
• reciprocating saw
• primer and paint or stain
• wood scraper
• wood screws
• wood filler
• sand paper
• step ladder
• dust rag
• safety glasses
• hard hat
• pencil
• Building permit may be necessary.

1. 
   image: Charles S. Buchanan, 2007

   Making a 4" X 4" Post Larger.
   Many houses have been built with 4" by 4" posts that just look to "skinny" for the house. Builders do it because it is cheaper. These posts are usually plenty strong for supporting your porch or deck roof, but do not give much visual appeal.
   To beef up these posts. Take two 1" X 6" boards and two 1" X 4" boards and cover the existing 4" X 4" post. (see diagram and photo)
   I recommend pressure treated lumber or cedar, but painted or stained pine can be used. I recommend using wood screws to apply but hot dipped galvanized nails can be used.

2. Evaluating Repair of a Rotted or Damaged Column or Post:
   Multi story posts or columns should be replaced by a professional. These often need special engineering, scaffolding, heavy equipment and building permits. Replacing a post or column with the same materials is a repair. Using a different type of material may require building permits check with your community building department.
   An evaluation of the condition of the existing post or column should be made prior to removing. Some columns need repaired rather than replaced. There are commercial products available at your local home center for repairing a small area of rot.
   Examine the base, the column and the top where it meets the header. With a screw driver probe the wood. Does the wood easily break away, is it soft to the touch, do you see any insect damage or insects? The presence of small white winged insects, hallow tubes leading up to the post and extensive insect damage may be indications of termites. If you find these definitely contact an exterminator, you may have a bigger problem. Stop your project have the area and the entire house checked before progressing.
   If the wood is cracked, powdery, soft and rotten but not bug infested you probably have "dry rot". This is caused by water soaking the wood and then drying out repeatedly. Usually on posts and columns this is around the base of the post. If it is at the top of the post you may have a problem with water penetrating your house from the roof or the siding of your house. This must be fixed before restoring your post.
   If you determine that the problem is the post or column then it is time to proceed.

3. 
   graphic, Charles Buchanan

   Replacing your Post or Column:
   If you have a manufactured column that you need replacing, check and see if the replacement is readily available. If not, it may have to be special ordered. Get good measurements, height, base width, top width, is it wood, or another material. Also take a photo if you need to and take this, and the measurements, with you to your home center. This information will help you to order the proper column that matches.
   Unless the structure is in danger of collapse, wait until you have the proper column on hand before progressing. If you have to use a temporary support, 4" X 4" posts will work in most applications as a temporary substitute.
   If you have the proper column or post on hand. The first step is supporting the roof before removing the old post or column. Columns and posts help to hold up the porch roof of your structure. Removing your column or post without providing adequate support can cause structural collapse, which can be dangerous, expensive and overall cause you a bad day. (as I stated before if you are uncomfortable or unsure of your ability to proceed, hire a professional carpenter)
   Before removing the post or column you must put supports under the main beam that the post or column is supporting. Light beams can be temporarily replaced during reinstall with two 2" X 4"s. Heavier posts or solid columns may need 2" X 6" or 4" X 4" beams placed on either side of the post being removed. These temporary supports should be cut slightly longer than the replaced post. Typically a short piece of 2" X 4" forming a "T" is nailed to the top of the temporary support. (see diagram) When installing temporary supports place the "T" under the main beam at an angle, tap the bottom with a sledge hammer until it lifts the beam slightly. Do this on both sides of the post. The two "T"s should support the roof taking the weight off the post or column to allow removal.
   Now you can take a reciprocating saw and cut the base and top loose from the floor and beam. At this point the post should come loose and be able to be removed. If necessary, cut the post in half with the reciprocating saw.
   Remove the post, remove nails and screws, clean and scrap the area, and examine the area under and above where the post had sat. If there is structural damage these areas must be repaired prior to reinstalling your post or column.

4. 

   Installing a New Post or Column:
   Most columns or posts fail due to insects and/or water damage. Wood put directly on concrete, failure to calk places where water will infiltrate, or failure to protect the wood.
   Wooden 4" X 4" posts should be put on metal connectors when installed on concrete decks. A bolt is drilled and set into the concrete and then bolted to the metal post support (available at your home center), then the post is placed in the support and nailed in place with hot dipped galvanized nails or exterior screws. The metal support prevents the post from pulling moisture from the concrete and rotting. These supports can be used on concrete columns and footers also.
   Where-ever wood is to be in contact with soil, or moisture, it is recommended that pressure treated lumber be used. Pressure treatment protects the wood for up to 30 years from insects and rot.
   Where posts or columns are being reinstalled back on a wooden surface, the base material must be in good repair, clean, primed and painted, or stained prior to the reinstall. The column or post should be installed, checking that it is the proper height and fit, and is set level. It should be installed in a similar manner as was the original. Once the post or column is firmly in place, knock the two supports out from under the support beam with the sledge hammer. The porch should settle back into position.
   Check the post or column for level again, adjust with a piece of wood and a hammer until satisfied,(careful not to mare the wood). Then nail or screw the post or column securely into place. You should insure that exterior rated screws or hot dipped galvanized nails are used. Fill all the screw or nail holes with wood filler and sand flush. Prime the entire post or column with a good primer and paint or stain. If you need to replace more than one column or post, repeat one at a time.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure twice cut once.
• Use pressure treated lumber
• Use wood screws or hot dipped galvanized nails
• Wood should not directly contact concrete, use a metal post connector if necessary.
• Use eye protection when cutting wood
• Ladders should be stable and when able a second person should hold them when using
• When removing any overhead wood or structures it is recommended that you wear a hard hat.
• If the project is over your experience level hire a professional.
• Check for building permit requirements.
• Change in materials used, usually requires a building permit and may require consultation with an architect or engineer to protect the building integrity.